Radiation and risk

The article surveys the health risks connected to and the consequences that may arise from various radiation doses for human beings, animals and the environment. Dose response curve determinations and carcinogeneous problems are dealt with in particular. The cell repair mechanisms are mentioned. The author concludes that recent research shows that ionising radiation may have a positive health effect. The age of the bomb irradiated people in Japan who survived, are higher than of those who were not irradiated. The research gives surprising results continually. The problems of extrapolating the dose response curve to the low radiation levels are still not solved. Neither animal experiments, epidemiological studies nor models can determine which curve shape is most correct. 4 figs., 4 refs